DVB Cards/Boxes: All you need to know about About Digital Satellite TV tuner boxes

Today, I shall be publishing a post based on popular demands. I will discuss what “DVB cards/boxes” stand for and what you need before being qualified to use one. This article shall eschew a general overview of Digital video broadcasting cards/boxes(DVB cards), also called digital satellite TV tuners.

Related to This:

• How to watch satellite tv channels on your computer using Emulators via DVB Cards

• Here is a Guide for Building your own IPTV and Cardsharing Server.

What are DVB cards/boxes or Digital Satellite TV tuner boxes?

A DVB Card is to a PC or laptop what a satellite receiver is to a Television. However, a DVB card or box is more sophisticated than regular receivers. Also, a Digital satellite TV Tuner card/box is designed to receive HDTV digital satellite programs on one’s computer. You can receive DVB-S or DVB-S2 and HD programs with an advanced DVB-S2 Satellite TV Receiver. The interfaces for TV tuner cards are usually PCI bus expansion cards or the newer PCI Express (PCIe) bus for many modern cards, but PCMCIA, ExpressCard, or USB devices also exist.

Single DVB TV Tuner, Dual DVB TV Tuner, and Quad DVB TV Tuner are available on the market. Generally speaking, DVB cards/boxes with dual TV tuner is the mainstream in digital TV. However, quad tuners are more often in professional usage. This kind of dual tuner card allows users simultaneously receive dual DVB-S2/S TV channels; Users can watch one channel from one transponder/satellite while recording another channel from a second transponder/satellite. Alternatively, the users can simultaneously use one channel for data download while watching TV on another channel.

Most DVB cards/boxes computer TV cards are fully supported under 32bit/64bit Windows 2000 / XP / Vista / 7 and Linux. It also supports popular DVB software, Like DVBDream, DVBViewer, DVBlink, DVBcontrol, ProgDVB, TSreader, etc.

Important facts about DVB cards/boxes

• You cannot connect a DVB card to a television directly. It works with a pc
• It is hardware that works with other software. In other words, it is not enough to merely own a pc. You need to buy a DVB card or box before you can watch satellite Tv on your pc
• A Dvb card also supports Cccam.
• It is either you call it a DVB Card or box. The box mainly stands for the modern version usable on laptops, while the card is mostly only compatible with computers with PCI/PCI-E ports.
• Popular DVB software for Windows is DVB Dream(Paid), Smart DVB (Free) and ProgDVB, DVB-Viewer-Pro, TSReader, etc. Interestingly, they all have a large number of features.
• DVB cards/boxes are tools mainly used by satellite geeks. An end user may use it, but it will be underutilized.
• Generally, a DVB card is more expensive than regular decoders.
• Some DVB cards now come with CI port support. This means you can use an official smart card on them only if your satellite company allows this anyways.
• Most DVB cards/boxes will also support IPTV via m3u files
• Some DVB cards can be used as satellite internet modems
• The ultimate database for the most popular DVB cards/boxes is www.tbsdtv.com
• If you want to shop for a DVB card, your best destination is tbsdtv’s online shop here. Although you can get some on eBay and Amazon as well

Requirements for using DVB cards/boxes

1. A dish is a must because you are going to connect this to your pc the same way you connect your decoder to your TV
2. Also, you will need an LNBf, LNB cable, f-connectors and other satellite accessories that you will normally use to track satellite tv packages.
3. You need either an old computer or a laptop. Your old desktop computer must have either a PCI or PCI-E port.
4. Also, you must buy a DVB card or box compatible with your pc. For example, buy one with USB support for a laptop or a PCI card for the laptop. If I were you I would buy the USB support box because PCI is gradually phasing out.
5. Your computer drivers must be up to date.
6. You may need to buy a premium DVB software like DVBDream or use a free one like tsreader. Although DVB cards/boxes usually come with DVB software included, it’s very basic and supports FTA only. People use a wide range of free, commercial, and pirated DVB software. I am against the pirated version.
7. For scanning, you need another software on your computer.CrazyScan, which happens to be freeware, will be enough for an ordinary user. It supports fast blindscan, the software viewing of satellite spectrum, and satellite feed hunting.
8. You may need to install a codec pack. Don’t worry; your DVB viewer will point you in the right direction.

DVB cards/boxes general uses

Regardless of their profession or interest, different kinds of people can use DVB cards/boxes.

DISCLAIMER!!! I will not be held responsible for any misuses of this article. I have provided this with the sole intention of educating my readers. If you choose to use it in any way that is against the laws of the land, you are doing so at your own risk. 

• Hackers of pay-TV services use it for pirate broadcasts. Remember, DVB cards support multi-streams which the regular decoders don’t support.
• You can build servers with many DVB cards. What do you think those running cccam servers use?
• You can have your DVB card on a remote PC where dishes are located, so you connect to it remotely without being physically present. This alone is why pay-TV service providers cannot catch the real h*ckers.
• You can specifically use remote servers with tvheadend. This will enable you to view on a PC with VLC or an Android media player.
• End-users can also use it for the fun of it or for personal reasons. E,g maybe you want to watch a particular program as you work on your pc all in your private environment. Your tv may not be ideal for this if you have a family.
• Also, Pay-TV companies use it to monitor their services before distributing it.
• A typical DVB card has various uses. You are limited only by your knowledge of what to use it for. Using a DVB card is like a self-built car – You can build whatever you want into it. However, it would be best if you learned some things.
• What DVB cards/boxes do is to receive full TS stream (one mux, one frequency) in one of the DVB standards (DVB-S/S2/S2X, DVB-T/T2, DVB-C/C2) and transfer it to your PC.
  I mean the whole TS mux with all channels, encryptions, EPG, etc…
  The software on the PC does the rest of the job I mean your viewer like DVBDream, DVBviewr, tsreader….
• It is one mux per one input in a DVB card, except you have gotten a Quad tuner DVB card/box.
• The feature of your software will determine the extent to which you can work with your DVB card.
• For example, one channel can be streamed to the LAN(IPTV feature), another can be recorded to the disk or your USB drive(PVR function), and another can be decoded by EMU(remember sports 24 solutions were discovered first on the emulator) and be viewed on screen. All these functions are dependent on the software used.
• TS reader – the best TS analyzer and VLC.
• For servers on Linux, the most popular software are Astra (for multicast) and tvheadend (this is freeware for unicast).

More Information About DVB cards/boxes

The most popular DVB software for Windows has a common API for plugins called MD Plugins.
It allows a wide range of functions for working with TS Streams, including extended EPG, TS Recording, emulators, and remote card clients with different protocols, including cccam.

One of the popular EMU plugins is vPlug. For cccam you can use Hadu; it works though it may not be the most popular.

For Linux, there is the famous OSCAM(this is what most FTA decoders use). It is a compelling piece of software. This can be both a server and client for any protocol for remote cards – newcamd, cccam, DVBAPI.

It has an embedded emulator for all cr*cked systems and supports USB and COM card readers for using official cards for sharing. Also, it runs in Linux as a separate daemon. All other software can connect to it via TCP/IP locally and remotely.

There are also options for user accounts and permissions. OSCAM has very complex logic for managing all this, and you can do with it whatever you want. But it is for the gurus.

We also have, as previously mentioned  DVB cards/boxes with CI interface for CAMs. For now, we only have CI, no CI+. CI+ needs to be cr*cked to work ) Someone is working on that, but it is not public yet.

 

Main Features of DVB Cards/boxes

• Enjoy Digital Satellite TV & Radio on the Computer
• DiSEqC 1.0/1.1/1.2 & USALS supported
• Dual Channels DVB-S2/S Program Receiving to Watch and Record Simultaneously (For dual tuner only). Remember, we also have quad tuners
• DVB-S2 and DVB-S Programs receive (For DVB-S2 models only) Just as you can watch mpeg-2. mpeg-4 and HD on an HD decoder
• It supports Electronic Program Guide (EPG) and Teletext
• Transponder/satellite auto scan
• Multi-Channel Preview and Channel Recall(not all decoders can do this)
• Program Watching Reminder
• Favorite List
• On-Screen Display (OSD)
  3rd Party Plug-in supported
• Dish Motor Driving Control(Relief you off some pressure motoring your dish
• Support HDTV at High Resolution up to 1080i
• Support MPEG2 MPEG4/H.264 Decoding
• Real-time and Scheduled Program Recording
• Time-Shifting frees you from a brief interruption
• Frame Capture, Edit, and Slideshow

General Software Features of DVB Cards/boxes

• 4:3 & 16:9 Selectable Aspect Ratio
• Stereo Audio Effect Customization
• Remote Control and Hot Keys
• Video Quality Adjustment

 

Other features that you can enjoy on certain DVB cards/boxes

• Broadband Internet via Satellite*
• High-speed Data Download via Satellite*
• IPTV Streaming
• HTPC- Home Theatre PC

Computer Specification for installing DVB cards/boxes

• Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7/8/10 or Linux
• DirectX9.0 or later Version
• Available PCI Slot(for old desktop PC)
• You may need  PCI Express Slot(for desktop)
• Available USB2.0 Port (For USB devices only)
• CD-Rom (Driver and Software Installation)
• 1GHz Pentium III CPU or Above
• 256MB RAM or Above
• Graphics Card with at least 16MB RAM

For DVB-S2   HDTV(1080i/ (AVC/H.264))

3.0 GHz Pentium Ⅳ CPU or Above

1 GB RAM or Above

Graphics Card with at least 64MB RAM

 

Important note When Searching for new signals

The software from CrazyCat allows you to use the DVB-card in the spectrum analyzer mode, “blind search” for signal parameters. It also allows you to see the “constellation” of the signal and relay the TS stream to the TS Reader program. Mainboards are supported mainly on ST chips, including models supporting 16 / 32APSK and Multistream. Gradually, models are added to the chips of other manufacturers.

When using Crazyscan, you must enable DSS in the streamreader.ini to lock signals on certain DVB cards like TS Reader, another great software for analyzing TS streams.

But having a DVB card with an STi demodulator (STV chips) is much better. They are best for this. An example is DVBSKy S960 DVB-S/S2 USB . Furthermore, and latest STi chips have a high-speed blind scan; it’s hardware blindscan.

Major types of DVB cards/boxes and their Features

Here, you should select a DVB card or box according to your need or pocket. As I said, the newer, the better. However, some features are added to some models and removed from others. For example, DVB cards/boxes with CI ports may not support STi chips. Let me list some good models both for PC and laptops. You can click on their links to gather more information, including the prices. This will be done in no particular order.

• TBS 6983(Old desktop}, 6903 Dual PCI-E, 6908,6905 Quad PCI-E
• TBS 5927 USB2.0 or on Aliexpress: For fast and reliable blind scan.
  It also supports multistream and ACM/VCM signals. Aside from that, it has this high-speed hardware blind scan from STi chips. It is also better with locking low SR signals down to SR 200.
  It also supports 16/32 APSK modulations.
• TBS5520SE Multi-standard TV Tuner USB Box
• TBS6902 DVB-S2 Dual Tuner PCIe Card– note, this is a desktop PC only
• TBS5980 QBOX CI DVB-S2 TV Tuner USB -External TV Tuner Box for Laptop and PC– This model supports smart cards

 

OVERVIEW OF TBS5980 DVB CARD

TBS5980 is a digital satellite TV Tuner external box with a USB connection for watching and recording digital satellite TV on a PC. An integrated CI slot can be used for watching Free to Air TV and PayTV(By inserting the correct CAM and subscription smartcard into the CI slot, encrypted pay TV will be available). Windows BDA driver and Linux driver up to the latest kernel are provided.

The unique TBS MCE tool makes it possible to read CAM/Smartcard on Windows 7 Media Center, thus, your satellite subscription TV can be watched/recorded on Windows 7 Media Center. On the Linux platform, you can watch pay-tv using the correct software. TBS5980 is compatible with Windows7 Media Center, MediaPortal, DVBlink, DVBDream, DVBViewer, ProgDVB, Skynet, TSreader, XBMC，MythTV,VDR and many other popular software.

Main Features:

Watch Satellite TV & listen to Radio on the PC
DVB-S2/DVB-S SD or HD TV Receiving
Real-Time and Scheduled Program Recording(PVR)
Time Shifting to Pause Live TV
Unicable/One Cable compatible
Common Interface and CAM Support
Blindscan
High reliability

TBS5980 USB DVB-S2 TV Box with CI and CAM is the HD satellite TV tuner box built with Common Interface support, which allows the insertion of CAM and smartcard for pay TV. You may also use it to watch/record Free to Air satellite TV on PC if you don’t want to use the CAM/Smartcard. TBS5980 works great on the Window7 media center, MythTV, VDR, DVBdream,etc. It is ideal for building HTPC.

Specifications of some high-end DVB cards:

Receiving Frequency: 950~2150 MHz Tuning Range
Input level: -69~-23dBm
DVB-S2/DVB-S 8PSK QPSK Demodulator
Symbol Rate:
DVB-S QPSK 1~45Msps
DVB-S2 QPSK/8PSK 1~45Msps
Carrier Capture Range: ±10MHz
-DVB-S2 CCM
QPSK+1/4, 1/3, 2/5, 1/2, 3/5, 2/3, 3/4, 4/5, 5/6, 8/9, 9/10
8PSK+3/5, 2/3, 3/4, 5/6, 8/9, 9/10
-DVB-S
QPSK+1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 5/6, 7/8
Support Data Burst & Tone Burst
Support DiSEqC2.X and Motor
Single CI Slot
TV Box Size: 103x88x22mm (Length x Width x Height)
TV Box Weight: 200 Gram
Package Gift Box Size: 210x175x55mm (Length x Width x Height)
Package Gift Box Weight: 726 Gram

Summary and conclusion 

Maybe you think that I will provide the prices here, right? Well, I have practically done more than that. The links in this article will take you to the product page, where you will have full access to further information, including the prices. Have it in mind that this is not for everyone. The least workable one you will get will cost you not less than $90.

In addition, I choose not to give a general guide to installing DVB cards/boxes because each product has its unique features and installation methods. Do not worry; they ship the boxes with a comprehensive user guide.

Finally, God spares our lives. Next, I will give a brief tutorial on how it looks like running an emulator via DVB cards/boxes. Today’s article is about all things DVB cards/boxes.